Dual-Media Suction Filter for Automatic Transmission Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction filters for automatic transmission fluid face challenges in achieving high media packaging density, dirt holding capacity, filtration efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in accommodating irregularly shaped housings while managing pressure drop and fluid flow resistance.
Innovation Solution
A dual-media suction filter design featuring a coarse bag filter and a high-efficiency single media layer, supported by a molded separator grid with canted and horizontal ribs, which allows fluid to flow through smaller inlet holes around the circumference, providing parallel fluid paths and balanced inlet areas for efficient filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single media layer filter is used, then the filter can be simpler in structure, but the pressure drop increases excessively at cold temperatures when viscosity is highest
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into two distinct media layers: a coarse bag filter media layer and a fine single media layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specialized functions - the coarse layer handles bulk filtration with low resistance, while the fine layer provides high-efficiency filtration, thereby reducing overall pressure drop compared to a single thick media layer design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane filtration approach to a multi-dimensional layered structure. The coarse bag filter provides external surface area, while the fine media layer adds another dimension of filtration capacity, increasing overall filtering area without proportionally increasing pressure drop
2Quantity of substance
If bag filter media arrangement is used, then media packaging density and dirt holding capacity increase, but the filter requires greater thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is segmented into two functional layers with the fine media layer positioned adjacent to the coarse bag filter. This segmentation allows the fine media to be supported by the rigid housing structure and separator grid rather than requiring self-supporting thickness, enabling high media packaging density without excessive overall thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The fine single media layer is effectively nested within the structure created by the coarse bag filter and housing. The fine media layer utilizes the space between the coarse filter and the housing bottom, maximizing media packaging density while minimizing the additional thickness required
3Quantity of substance
If pleated filter element design is used, then filter media packaging density increases, but manufacturing cost increases and housing configuration is limited to rectangular
Solution Approach 1:
The filter uses a segmented approach with a coarse bag filter and a fine single media layer instead of a pleated design. This segmentation achieves high media packaging density through the bag filter's three-dimensional structure while avoiding the complex pleating process, resulting in lower manufacturing costs and greater housing configuration flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a flexible bag filter media arrangement that can conform to various housing shapes rather than requiring rigid pleated structures. This flexible approach maintains high media packaging density while enabling adaptation to irregularly shaped housings and reducing manufacturing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dual-media filter achieves high media packaging density, dirt holding capacity, and filtration efficiency while maintaining low manufacturing costs and flexibility for irregularly shaped housings, with negligible flow resistance between paths, ensuring effective fluid filtration.
Implementation Method 1
a first media filter located within the housing in a first fluid flow path between the first inlet and the outlet; and a second media filter located within the housing in a second fluid flow path between the second inlet and the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for filtering contaminants from automatic transmission fluid includes a housing including a first inlet and a second inlet, through which fluid enters the housing, and an outlet, through which fluid exits the housing; a first media filter located within the housing in a first fluid flow path between the first inlet and the outlet; and a second media filter located within the housing in a second fluid flow path between the second inlet and the outlet.